en.Wedoany.com Reported - KIO Data Centers plans to invest approximately $1.3 billion in the state of Querétaro, Mexico, to develop QRO3, the next phase of its expansion. Located in the technology park of Parque Industrial El Marqués, the project is planned with a capacity of approximately 100 megawatts, positioning it to become the company's largest data center to date and generating more than 8,100 highly specialized direct and indirect jobs. This expansion aims to meet the growing infrastructure demands of Mexican and North American enterprises in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital operations.
Octavio Camarena Villalvazo, CEO of KIO Data Centers, stated that the new infrastructure is part of the Mexican company's market growth strategy, with data centers playing a central role in the digital economy. The company entered Querétaro more than 20 years ago, developing the first data center of its kind in the region. The potential investment of approximately $1.3 billion in QRO3 will significantly expand its installed capacity in Mexico.
QRO3 will focus on meeting the demand for services related to cloud computing and artificial intelligence, with a primary focus on the North American market. Camarena believes that digital infrastructure has become one of the factors determining national competitiveness, on par with traditional assets such as highways, ports, and airports. "Without world-class data centers, there is no cloud computing, no smart manufacturing, no digitized data, and no artificial intelligence," he said in the announcement.
This expansion further strengthens Querétaro's position as a data center hub in Mexico. Mexico's Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón, noted that the state concentrates approximately 80% of the country's data centers and acknowledged KIO's pioneering role in this ecosystem. During the event, the Secretariat of Economy awarded KIO the "Hecho en México" (Made in Mexico) seal, recognizing the company's development of technology infrastructure in Querétaro and its preparation for a new round of investment as a Mexican enterprise.
The project will also have an impact on specialized employment and the technology supply chain. According to information released by the company, QRO3 is expected to generate more than 8,100 direct and indirect jobs. Data center operations require talent in areas such as power, telecommunications, systems, cooling, maintenance, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure management. Industry growth creates opportunities for stronger collaboration between local businesses and educational institutions.
The investment in QRO3 is part of KIO's ongoing growth plan following the introduction of I Squared Capital as a shareholder. Camarena stated that since the shareholder joined, the company has invested more than $900 million in Mexico and Latin America, with approximately $200 million allocated this year to projects and expansions planned in Mexico City, Monterrey, Querétaro, and Guatemala. Mexico remains a key priority in its regional strategy.
KIO also emphasized the energy efficiency features of its infrastructure. According to the announcement, these facilities strive to maintain low power usage effectiveness metrics and incorporate renewable energy and measures to reduce environmental impact. In the context of digital infrastructure expansion, power capacity, operational efficiency, and energy access are among the primary conditions for data center growth.
For Querétaro, KIO's expansion represents another large-scale investment in a sector directly linked to artificial intelligence, cloud computing, advanced manufacturing, and enterprise digitalization. Camarena noted that each additional megawatt of capacity is like building a "knowledge factory" for the country; according to research cited in the announcement, data center investments can generate an economic multiplier effect of five to seven times. Based on this reference, as the project progresses, QRO3 could bring billions of dollars in spillover benefits to Mexico.
KIO Data Centers is a Mexican company specializing in digital infrastructure and data centers, with operations across Mexico and Latin America. The company began operations in Querétaro more than 20 years ago and is a pioneer in the development of such infrastructure in the state. Its business focus encompasses information storage and processing, cloud computing, and enterprise technology infrastructure services; since I Squared Capital became a shareholder, the company has invested more than $900 million in projects in Mexico and Latin America.
